8:35 PM,
Apr. 11, 2013

Pulitzer Prize-winning movie critic Roger Ebert works Jan. 12, 2011, in his office at the WTTW-TV studios in Chicago.

Written by

Bruce Bennett
Mad About Movies

When legendary film critic Roger Ebert died last week of cancer complications at the age of 70, he left a legacy and impact on his craft that will never be equaled.

Many filmgoers knew him as the portly companion of fellow Chicago area film critic Gene Siskel, as the duo co-hosted popular movie review shows that went by various names from 1975 to 1999. Upon Siskel's death in 1999, Ebert worked with a variety of co-hosts, settling in with Richard Roeper until 2008.

These shows were unique and pioneered a model of impassioned but respectful debate about current movies that has been copied by ...